Double Bowed Ice Skate Blade With Elongated Ice Contract Point

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a double-bowed ice skate blade having an attachment section with a constant thickness and a blade section with a continually variable thickness, with the thickest segments occurring at the toe-end and heel-end of the blade. The center section of the contoured ice skate blade has a large radius, creating a flatter blade with a greater length of the blade in contact with the ice. At the toe-end and heel-end of the contoured ice skate blade, the radius of the blade is smaller, resulting in a more curved blade, and less length of the ice-contacting surface of the blade in physical contact with the ice. Because the segments of smaller radius are thicker, a greater cross-sectional area of the ice-contacting surface of the blade is in contact with the ice at the toe-end and heel-end of the blade.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of ice skates, and morespecifically to a double-bowed ice skate blade with a variablethickness.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of adouble-bowed ice skate blade.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of an exemplary embodiment of adouble-bowed ice skate blade.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of an exemplary embodiment of adouble-bowed ice skate blade.

FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom view of an exemplary embodiment of adouble-bowed ice skate blade.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of an exemplary embodiment of adouble-bowed ice skate blade.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-section view of an exemplary embodiment of adouble-bowed ice skate blade taken at the center of the blade.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-section view of an exemplary embodiment of adouble-bowed ice skate blade taken approximately ⅓ of the distanceinward from either end.

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative exemplary embodiment of a double-bowedice skate blade with smaller radius ends.

FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative exemplary embodiment of a double-bowedice skate blade with a wider blade and attachment sections.

BACKGROUND

Hockey players are usually considered bad speed skaters. It is not alimitation of a player's ability which makes hockey players bad speedskaters, but rather a limitation of the skate itself. There are physicaldifferences between hockey skates and speed skates which prevent hockeyplayers from skating as fast as speed skaters.

Different characteristics of an ice skate blade, such as its thickness,radius and length contribute to a skater's speed and agility. Forexample, speed skate blades tend to have long, though thin, blades witha very large radius, meaning the blades are relatively flat. As aresult, a large portion of the blade is touching the ice at all times.By pushing against the ice, speed skaters exert force along the wholesurface of the blade touching the ice to propel forward. Therefore, themore blade touching the ice, the faster a speed skater is able to go.

However, performing quick turns and other agile movements is easier whenless length and more thickness of a blade is in physical contact withthe ice. Sudden and quick moves, such as changes in direction, require askater to dig into the ice to exert force in a direction other than thatin which the skater is moving.

Traditional hockey skates have a uniform thickness along the length ofthe blade, and are often curved at a radius such that only a relativelysmall section of the blade is contacting the ice. While providingsurfaces intended to increase a skater's agility, traditional hockeyskate blades are not designed to allow hockey players to skate as fastas they are able.

It is desirable to design an ice skate blade that allows for increasedspeed while retaining the qualities that allow skaters to perform agilemovements.

It is also desirable to design an ice skate blade that provides skaterswith more speed without losing agility that is adaptable to many skateboot styles and manufacturers.

Glossary

As used herein the term “attachment section” means the section of ablade which fastens to a skate blade holder.

As used herein, the term “bottom surface” means the flattened bottomedge of a skate which is in contact with the ice.

As used herein the term “double-bowed” means a structure with a variablethickness, wherein the thickness increases at the outer ends of thestructure and creates an arched exterior surface and arched interiorsurface. A double bowed surface may have flared outer ends.

As used herein, the term “elongated exterior skate edge” or “elongatedinterior skate edge” means an interior or exterior skate edge which isin contact with the ice, and is longer than that which would be achievedwith a single-bowed skate.

As used herein, the term “exterior ice edge” means one of the edges ofthe skate.

As used herein the term “exterior side” means one of the sides of askate blade.

As used herein, the term “interior ice edge” means one of the edges ofthe skate.

As used herein the term “interior side” means one of the sides of askate blade.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a skate blade with a double-bowed surface thatresults in an elongated contact edge between the interior or exteriorblade edge and the ice. The double-bowed skate blade structure andelongated point of contact are critical to achieving increased velocity.The elongated point of contact area, which increases surface contactbetween the ice and the blade edge are critical to achieving a reducedturn radius.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the present invention,references are made in the text to exemplary embodiments of adouble-bowed ice skate blade, only some of which are described herein.It should be understood that no limitations on the scope of theinvention are intended by describing these exemplary embodiments. One ofordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that alternate butfunctionally equivalent structures and materials may be used. Theinclusion of additional elements may be deemed readily apparent andobvious to one of ordinary skill in the art. Specific elements disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis forthe claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinaryskill in the art to employ the present invention.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale;instead, emphasis has been placed upon illustrating the principles ofthe invention. In addition, in the embodiments depicted herein, likereference numerals in the various drawings refer to identical or nearidentical structural elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of double-bowed ice skateblade 100. As illustrated, double-bowed ice skate blade 100 containsthree main sections, or layers. Blade section 10 is the lower portion ofdouble-bowed ice skate blade 100, including bottom surface 15 which isin contact with the ice. Attachment section 30 is the upper portion ofdouble-bowed ice skate blade 100 and includes skate attachments 32 a and32 b. Transition section 20 is the middle portion of double-bowed iceskate blade 100 and provides the material transition between bladesection 10 and attachment section 30. In various embodiments, attachmentsection 30 and blade section 10 may be a single piece or may be twoseparate pieces integrally connected using welding, clamping, adhesivesor any other connecting means known in the art.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, attachment section 30 is a constantthickness and includes two skate attachments 32 a and 32 b. Thethickness of attachment section 30 is constant to allow double-bowed iceskate blade 100 to be attached to any style skate boot known in the art.However, the specific design, configuration and number of skateattachments 32 a and 32 b may vary depending on a specific skate bootmanufacturer's specifications.

Blade section 10 has a varying thickness along the length of bladesection 10. Near heel-end 12 and toe-end 13 of blade section 10, bladesection 10 is thicker, and tapers inward toward the center of bladesection 10. As a result, bottom surface 15 is thicker near heel-end 12and toe-end 13 than in the center of bottom surface 15.

As shown in the embodiment, blade section 10 has an exterior side and aninterior side which are mirrors of each other. Blade section 10 also hastwo edges depending on which side a skater leans, either an exterioredge or an interior edge. The skate blade is advantageous because as askater leans on one edge or the other, the entire center section of theedge may be in contact with the ice, as well as some of the bowedtoe-end and heel-end sections. The curvature of blade 100 creates anelongated exterior or interior skate edge allowing a skater to haveincreased edge contact for speed and the ability to turn sharp andremain agile.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, transition section 20 provides achamfer between blade section 10 and attachment section 30 as needed.

FIG. 2 is a side view of double-bowed ice skate blade 100. In additionto having blade section 10 of varying thickness, blade section 10 alsocontains portions of two different radii.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the center section (indicated by A) of bladesection 10 is flatter than the end sections (indicated by B) of bladesection 10. As a result, when double-bowed ice skate blade 100 is in useand a skater has weight equally distributed on double-bowed ice skateblade 100, a longer portion of bottom surface 15 is in contact with theice. When a skater shifts his or her weight to heel-end 12 or toe-end13, less length of bottom surface 15 is in contact with the ice, but agreater cross-sectional area.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the radius of center section A isbetween 20 and 30 feet, while the radius of end sections B is between 6and 13 feet, as measured to the center of double-bowed ice skate blade100. The specific value of the radii of portions A and B may bedependent on the length of double-bowed ice skate blade 100 needed toaccommodate a skater of a given height and weight.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the radii of A and B are constant within thesections. For example, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the radius ofA is a constant 20 feet for the length of segment A. The radius of Adoes not vary. Similarly, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the radiusof B is 6 feet for the entire length of the B segments. This radius doesnot vary within B segments. In other words, a single double-bowed iceskate blade 100 does not have an A segment with a radius of 20 to 25feet within that segment.

However, in other exemplary embodiments, the radii of segments A and/orB may vary to meet specific requirements of a skater. In variousembodiments, the radius of B segments may also be different; thereforeheel-end 12 and toe-end 13 may have different radii than each other.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, transition section 20 and attachmentsection 30 follow the radii of segments A and B. However, in otherexemplary embodiments, segments A and/or B may be designed to differentheights along their lengths to accommodate areas of different curvature.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, segment A is approximately the center⅓ of double-bowed ice skate blade 100, while the B segments make up theend thirds of double-bowed ice skate blade 100. However, in furtherexemplary embodiments, the length of segments A and/or B may vary.Further, in other exemplary embodiments, the length of segments B may bedifferent than each other as well.

FIG. 3 is a top view of double-bowed ice skate blade 100. As illustratedin FIG. 3, attachment section 30 has a constant thickness throughout itslength. The variation in thickness of blade section 10 is visiblebeneath attachment section 30. For example, at heel-end 12 and toe-end13, blade section 10 is visible beneath attachment section 30. However,as blade section 10 transitions toward the center of double-bowed iceskate blade 100, blade section 10 tapers inward on both sides to becomenarrower than attachment section 30 at the center of double-bowed iceskate blade 100.

Because the transition of blade section 10 from heel-end 12 to toe-end13 is gradual, there are two points at which the thickness of bladesection 10 and attachment section 30 are equal, as will be shown in FIG.7. In various embodiments, blade section 10 and attachment section 30may be the same thickness at the very ends and blade section 10 maystill be narrower in the center.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of double-bowed ice skate blade 100. The taperedshape of blade section 10 is clearly illustrated in this view.Attachment section 30 is only visible beyond blade section 10 in thecenter of double-bowed ice skate blade 100 where blade section 10 isthinnest.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, blade section 10 has a constantthickness for its entire height. However, in other exemplaryembodiments, blade section 10 may be tapered only at bottom surface 15,with the remaining portion of blade section 10 above bottom surface 15having a different thickness. For example, blade section 10 could taperoutward immediately from bottom surface 16 to become increasinglythicker as blade section 10 approaches transition section 20 andattachment section 30.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the thinnest portion of blade section10 is 1.2 mm thick. In other exemplary embodiments, the thickness of thethinnest portion of blade section 10 may range between 1.0 mm and 3.0mm. This range is a critical range. If blade section 10 is any thinner,it may snap or break if hit with a hockey puck or stick. If bladesection 10 is thicker, it loses the speed advantages.

FIG. 5 illustrates double-bowed ice skate blade 100 from heel-end 12. Inthe exemplary embodiment described in FIGS. 1-4, heel-end 12 and toe-end13 are approximately identical, with slight variation in length fromskate attachments 32 a, 32 b and end thickness. However, in furtherexemplary embodiments, heel-end 12 and toe-end 13 may be more or lessidentical.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, transition section 20 provides the transitionbetween thicker blade section 10 and thinner attachment section 30.Transition section 20 is shown as a chamfer between the two thicknesses,forming an outward angle from attachment section 30. However, in furtherexemplary embodiments, transition section 30 may be any tapering, edge,cut-away or other transition between the two thicknesses.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-section of double-bowed ice skate blade 100taken at the center of the blade. As illustrated, transition section 20provides the transition between thinner blade section 10 and thickerattachment section 30. Transition section 20 is again illustrated as achamfer forming an inward angle from attachment section 30.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-section of double-bowed ice skate blade 100taken approximately ⅓ of the distance inward from either heel-end 12 ortoe-end 13. This is the point at which the thickness of attachmentsection 30 equals the thickness of blade section 10. As illustrated,because the thickness of attachment section 30 and blade section 10 areequal at this point, transition section 20 (shown in FIG. 6) does notform a chamfer, but rather is consistently the same thickness asattachment section 30 and blade section 10.

FIG. 8 is an alternative exemplary embodiment of double-bowed ice skateblade 100. Blade section 10 is still tapered to be thinner in the centerof double-bowed ice skate blade 100 with attachment section 30 having aconstant thickness for its length. Transition section 20 (shown inFIG. 1) provides a chamfered transition between blade section 10 andattachment section 30.

However, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the center section ofdouble-bowed ice skate blade 100 (A) has a larger radius, and thereforeflatter ice-contacting surface 15, than the exemplary embodiments shownin FIG. 1-7, and heel-end 12 and toe-end 13 portions of double-bowed iceskate blade 100 (B) have a smaller radius, and therefore more curvedbottom surface 15, than the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-7.

FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative exemplary embodiment of double-bowedice skate blade 100 with wider blade ends and attachment section. Asshown in the embodiment, blade section 10 is thicker at heel-end 12 andtoe-end 13 and narrower in the center of blade section 10. In theexemplary embodiment shown, the thickness of blade section 10 may rangebetween 1.0 mm and 3.0 mm.

In the exemplary embodiments described in FIGS. 1-9, center segment Amay have a radius between 20 to 30 feet. This radius range is criticalfor segment A. If the radius is any greater, bottom surface 15 will betoo flat, making it difficult for skaters to perform agile movementswhen using the center of double-bowed ice skate blade 100. Similarly, 6to 13 foot radius range for the end B segments is a critical range. Ifthe radius is too large, bottom surface 15 at the B segments is too flatand similar to that of the A segment, and agility is lost. If the radiusat the B segments is too small, bottom surface 15 at the B segments istoo curved, creating an unstable blade.

When making a double-bowed ice skate blade 100, such as those describedin FIGS. 1-9, it is not necessary to make and join three separate piecesof metal to obtain the desired radii. A single piece of material, havinga single radius, may be worked, whether manually or by machine (such aswith a CNC machine) to obtain the desired radii.

The varying thickness of blade section 10, transition section 20 andattachment section 30 may be similarly worked manually or machined(i.e., CNC machine). In some exemplary embodiments, a thick piece ofmaterial may be milled to obtain the proper thickness for attachmentsection 30 and transition section 20.

Double-bowed ice skate blade 100 is therefore easy to customize for aspecific player's weight and height, as weight and height aredetermining factors for length and radii of skate blades.

What is claimed is:
 1. A ice skate blade comprised of: a bottom surfaceadapted for planar contact with an ice surface; a blade section; atransition section; and an attachment section.
 2. The apparatus of claim1 wherein said ice skate blade is double-bowed.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said transition section is disposed at the middle ofsaid skate blade.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said transitionsection provides a material transition between said blade section andattachment section.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said bladesection is a single piece,
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein saidblade section is comprised is comprised of two separate pieces which arestructurally connected at an connection interface.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said connection interface is comprised of interfaceselected from a group consisting of using welded material, brazedmaterial, adhesive material and geometrically interlocking components.8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said attachment section is aconstant thickness.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said attachmentis constant is selectively attached to a user-selected skate boot knownin the art.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said attachment sectionincludes at least one attachment.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinsaid blade section has a varying thickness along the length of saidblade section,
 12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein near the heel-endand toe-end of said blade section, blade section is thicker.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 12 wherein said blade section tapers inward towardthe center of blade section
 14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein thebottom surface of said blade surface is thicker near the heel-end andtoe-end than in the center of bottom surface.
 15. The apparatus of claim1 wherein said section has an exterior side and an interior side whichare mirrors of each other.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein saidsection has an interior edge and an exterior edge.
 17. The apparatus ofclaim 16 wherein said interior edge and said exterior edge aredetermined by selective user weight distribution.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein either said interior edge of said skate blade and saidexterior edge of said are in contact with an ice surface, and centerportion of said skate blade are simultaneously in contact with said icesurface.
 19. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the curvature of saidskate blade creates an elongated exterior or interior skate edge. 20.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said blade section further includes achamfer between said blade section and said attachment section.
 21. Theapparatus of said claim 1 is comprised of portions of varying differentradii.